NRG Hood Damper Installation (Honda CR-Z)
Introduction
Gas-strut hood dampers replace the factory manual prop rod on the Honda CR-Z, holding the hood open on their own and giving the engine bay a cleaner, more finished look. This guide covers fitting a bolt-on NRG damper set, which anchors to an existing screw location at the front of the bay and to the upper hood-hinge bolt on each side. The kit is rated for the stock steel hood only; a lighter aftermarket or carbon-fibre hood may not have the mass to seat properly against the damper resistance. No cutting or drilling is involved, and the whole job is done by hand in a few minutes. Adapted from a community writeup by stumcewing on CRZ Forum (https://www.crzforum.com/threads/diy-nrg-hood-dampers.10652/), including corrections from the follow-up discussion.
Reference
Tools Required
- Screwdriver or socket set to fit the factory engine-bay and hinge screws
- Torque wrench capable of 1.0 ft·lb (optional)
Parts Required
-
NRG hood damper kit (two gas dampers, left/right mounting brackets, chrome end fittings, and replacement anchor screws)
Safety Warnings
- ⚠ These dampers are rated for the stock hood only. A lighter carbon-fibre or aftermarket hood may lack the weight to seat flush and could be pushed ajar by the damper resistance.
- ⚠ When the dampers are still stiff, close the hood with slow, steady downward pressure. Shoving it down quickly can bend the sheet metal around the hood hinge.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1 Identify the brackets and their orientation
The kit includes two mounting brackets stamped L and R. Match them to the car's own left and right sides (driver and passenger), not to your point of view while facing the bay. Plan the fit so that each bracket's ball stud ends up pointing outward, away from the centre of the engine bay, once mounted.
2 Replace the front engine-bay anchor screws
At the front of the engine bay there is a pair of black screws on each side. Back out one black screw per side and thread the matching screw supplied in the kit into that same hole. NRG specifies a torque of 1.0 ft·lb; if you have no torque wrench, simply run it down until it is firmly snug. Repeat on the other side.
3 Mount the hinge brackets
Remove the upper screw from one hood hinge and set it aside — it gets reused, so do not lose it. Position the correct-side NRG bracket over the hinge and refasten it with that original hinge screw, keeping the ball stud facing outward. Repeat for the opposite hinge.
4 Fit the chrome end pieces to the dampers
Thread a chrome top fitting into each gas damper by hand and run it in until it is snug. Stop once it seats; forcing it past that point risks stripping or over-stressing the threads.
5 Release the retaining pin on the first damper
Work one damper at a time. Carefully unclip the metal locking pin and twist it clear of the damper body, then draw it straight out with slow, steady pressure. Keep the pin within reach — you reinstall it immediately after seating the damper.
6 Clip the damper onto its ball studs
One end of the assembled damper seats on the ball stud at the hinge bracket and the other on the ball stud at the front of the bay. Push each socket firmly onto its ball until you feel it click home. Then slide the retaining pin back into its hole and rotate it until it re-clips against the damper, locking the joint.
7 Repeat for the second side
Carry out the same pin-release, seat-and-clip sequence on the remaining damper so that both struts are pinned and locked onto their ball studs. With both fitted, the hood should stay raised on its own.
8 Remove the factory prop rod (optional)
If you want to delete the now-redundant manual prop, swing it toward the windshield and work it loose with gentle turning and twisting until it releases from its mount. It may take a couple of tries, but it comes free and leaves a tidier bay.
Pro Tips
- 💡 The complete install typically takes only about 5 to 10 minutes if you work carefully.
- 💡 New dampers feel stiff at first and loosen noticeably after the hood has been cycled open and closed a number of times.
- 💡 If you buy a used or pre-assembled set, the chrome fittings may already be installed, but you still clip each damper onto its ball studs using the retaining pin.
- 💡 Compatibility with a front strut bar depends on the specific hood; some aftermarket hoods clear the dampers and others foul them, so check reports for your exact hood before buying.
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